Novel cells produce larger Flash memories

Sunrise Electronics has two 1.8V NOR-type Flash memory devices with a capacity of 256Mbit, the industry's highest capacity for this type of memory.

Sunrise Electronics has two 1.8V NOR-type Flash memory devices with a capacity of 256Mbit, the industry's highest capacity for this type of memory.

The uPD29F256115 and uPD29F256415 use a new version of multi-level cell (MLC) technology developed by NEC to deliver a lower-priced memory product that is ideal for mobile applications requiring greater functionality.

Using this new MLC technology, NEC Electronics has doubled memory cell capacity.

With more storage per device, designers can keep costs low by using fewer devices per design.

In general, the speed of Flash memory devices based on MLC technology has been slower than devices implementing non-MLC technology.

However, NEC Electronics has used a read circuit design to allow its NOR-type Flash memory devices to run at faster read access speeds.

This design innovation has enabled NEC Electronics to develop low-cost, high-capacity solutions that achieve the same read access speeds as more expensive non-MLC Flash memory.

NEC Electronics is able to deliver NOR-type Flash memory with the industry's highest capacity of 256Mbit by leveraging the company's 0.15-micron process technology.

The new devices realise a read access speed of 85ns and a page-read access speed of 25ns, which are exceptionally fast speeds for a memory product applying MLC technology.

In addition, the uPD29F256415 device employs a 32bit databus to further optimise performance for mobile applications.

The new devices will be offered in fine-pitch ball grid array (FBGA) packages and in stacked multi-chip packages (S-MCPs) that combine Flash memory with mobile-specified random access memory (RAM) or static RAM.

The growing popularity of multi-function mobile products, such as Internet-enabled mobile phones, has created a demand for Flash memory with larger capacities.

New features designed into gaming applications and global positioning systems require Flash memory solutions that can handle large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

Also, system designers need affordable Flash devices that can be used in consumer products with the right price point for the mass market.

Design data and further information on sample and production dates are available now from Sunrise Electronics.

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